About — The workshop

Fourteen people, one workshop.

Arvo began in 2011 with a borrowed bench and an order for six chairs. We still make everything under one roof.

A maker planing a board at the bench

(01) — Our story

(01) — Our story

Arvo is the Finnish word for value. We chose it as a reminder that a chair is only worth its price if it is still in use in fifty years.

Arvo is the Finnish word for value. We chose it as a reminder that a chair is only worth its price if it is still in use in fifty years.

Arvo is the Finnish word for value. We chose it as a reminder that a chair is only worth its price if it is still in use in fifty years.

Our founder trained as a cabinetmaker in Finland before moving to Oregon for the timber. The first Arvo chairs were built at night, in a shared workshop, for a restaurant that is still using them.

Our founder trained as a cabinetmaker in Finland before moving to Oregon for the timber. The first Arvo chairs were built at night, in a shared workshop, for a restaurant that is still using them.

Today fourteen of us work in a former boatyard in southeast Portland. We buy logs, dry them ourselves and make every piece from first cut to final coat.

Today fourteen of us work in a former boatyard in southeast Portland. We buy logs, dry them ourselves and make every piece from first cut to final coat.

(02) — Principles

Three rules we do not bend.

01

Fewer, better

Nine pieces, refined over years. We would sooner improve a chair than launch a new one.

02

Repair first

Every piece comes apart. We keep the patterns and the timber to fix it for as long as we trade.

03

Fair price, once

No sales, no seasonal ranges. The price reflects the hours and the timber, and it stays put.

(03) — The makers

The hands behind the work.

Eero Halla

Eero Halla

Founder, cabinetmaker

Marit Ostby

Marit Ostby

Workshop lead

Tomas Reyes

Tomas Reyes

Upholstery

Jon Avery

Jon Avery

Finishing

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